KEYNOTE: Accompanying the Suffering: What True Leadership Looks Like, Sister Norma Pimentel

Sister Norma will speak on the universal call to embrace our brothers and sisters who are forced to migrate from their homeland. A call For Social Justice. It is our responsibility to ensure that our brothers and sisters are treated with compassion, love and mercy. A tender care that makes them feel welcomed and hopeful. Sr. Norma will address this by sharing how the Humanitarian Respite Center has welcomed more than 130,000 individuals along with the efforts taking place across the border and is inspiring the world to do the same and how answering this call is the true definition of leadership. 

FS01: BCFS Health and Human Services: Human Trafficking 101 and Common Thread, a relational advocacy program in partnership with the Office of the Governor,  Maria Cansino

This presentation will include the definition of Human Trafficking, vulnerabilities exploited by traffickers, indicators of commercial sexual-exploitation of youth, how to identify survivors of sex-trafficking using key indicators, recruitment tactics by traffickers, understanding trauma bond, smuggling vs trafficking, AMP model, why relational advocacy is important to survivors’ recovery, and how community partners can work together to support survivors of sex trafficking. By the end of this training, attendees will have a better understanding regarding the key indicators of the commercial sexual exploitation of youth and sex trafficking. Attendees will also have a brief overview of the agencies they may contact who provide services for trafficking survivors. The level of expertise for this topic is beginner.

FS02: Promoting Equity and Social Justice Panel, Sister Norma Pimentel, Maria Cansino, Isamar Ochoa, & Alexandra Avila

According to a NASP adopted statement in April 2017, “School psychologists work to ensure the protection of the educational rights, opportunities, and well-being of all children, especially those whose voices have been muted, identities obscured, or needs ignored.”  This panel will focus on addressing some of issues that children and families face and how they are intervening.  Their work is extremely important for school psychologists to be aware of in order to better serve children and families.

NASP Practice Domains: Diversity in Development and Learning & Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills

FS03: Human Trafficking Prevention Training and BHEC/TSBEP Update, Darrel Spinks, BHEC

This presentation will provide attendees with updates about the mandatory human trafficking prevention training required of all licensees, as well as the significant regulatory changes arising out of H.B. 1501 and the creation of the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council.  

NASP Practice Domains: Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice

FS04: SEL as a Foundation for Safe, Supportive, and Equitable Schools, Donna Black, SEL4TX

This workshop provides a brief exploration of the challenges schools face in implementing SEL, including issues with obtaining stakeholder buy-in, aligning system processes, selecting a framework, and creating a foundation for support. Participants will receive an overview of SEL as a fundamental and sustainable process for establishing safe, supportive, and equitable schools. The workshop will be presented by a nationally-recognized expert on SEL and will offer key considerations for SEL implementation through an equity lens and a social justice perspective.

NASP Practice Domains: Primary focus - Domain 8: Diversity in Development and Learning; Also supports - Domain 4: Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills & Domain 5: School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning

FS05: Panel Presentation:  Equity Solutions through SEL, Angela Downes (Moderator), Donna Black, Josette Saxton, Amy Baker, Anne Lehew, Sharon Bradley, & Rachelle Finck

This session will feature a panel of experts who have ‘walked the walk’ with SEL. Panel members from schools and communities in Texas will discuss the role SEL has played in helping to dismantle some of the barriers to equitable access and how it is re-shaping the educational environment. Participants will gain valuable insight into systemic issues, programming decisions, and other challenges schools have faced when implementing SEL. Participants also will learn about state-wide efforts to promote and advocate for SEL as an essential component of education in Texas schools and communities.

NASP Practice Domains: Primary focus - Domain 8: Diversity in Development and Learning; Also supports - Domain 4: Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills & Domain 5: School-Wide Practices to Promote Learning

FS06: Culturally Responsive Programming for SEL, Amy Baker and Laura Richard, SEL4TX

This workshop will examine how school leaders, administrators and LSSPs, and teachers are addressing the social and emotional development of all students through SEL programming. Participants will explore key factors and gain a better understanding of cultural responsiveness. Exploration of how these factors are considered in developing campus-wide SEL programs and systems to work with the diverse populations of students they serve will also be discussed. The workshop will include a guided discussion on the elements of SEL programming, how to ensure equitable access to educational services, and how these elements work together for a more positive outcome for all students.

FS07: SEL Competencies from an Equity Lens: Implications for Ethical SEL Assessment, Dr. G. Thomas Schandling, Jr.  

This workshop will examine assessment and intervention practices for Social-Emotional Learning. Participants will review ethical guidelines related to universal and targeted assessment and intervention of SEL competencies, as well as consider the social justice issues inherent in providing these services.

NASP Practice Domains:  Data-Based Decision Making and Accountability, Interventions and Mental Health Services to Develop Social and Life Skills, Diversity in Development and Learning, Legal, Ethical, and Professional Practice